News

An Angus accountant who co-founded one of the region’s top firms has completed his last ever balance sheet.

Steve Taylor is retiring from Murray Taylor Chartered Accountants in Montrose after 35 years.

The 65-year-old, originally from Dundee, has seen the business grow from five staff to 35 and is proud to have helped train many young people straight from school.

The director has also worked with businesses across Scotland, specialising in corporate finance, management buyouts and restructuring.

Steve’s daughter Louise Sim and son-in-law Robert Sim have taken over the running of the firm with fellow director Andrew Stirling.

Grandfather-of-10 Steve had always planned to retire at 65 but revealed a cancer diagnosis in made him realise how important it is to “enjoy life while you can”.

He has now completed his cancer treatment and is looking forward to visiting his daughters and grandchildren in Canada and China with wife Lynn.

A lifelong Dundee FC season ticket holder, he hopes to get to every match he can at Dens Park.

And he will continue as treasurer of Montrose Community Trust, working on the current Gable End project.

Steve, who trained with Henderson Loggie in Dundee, said: “I am looking forward to my retirement and and feel ready for it, but I will miss working with my team and clients.

“It has been a privilege to do what I do and I am particularly proud to have employed and trained up young people from Montrose, many straight from school.

“The time was right to retire and let the new generation take the reins.  I have full confidence in the company directors to continue growing the business.”

Steve founded Murray Taylor, which also has an office ion Arbroath, with Tom Murray, who retired in 2017.  His wife Lynn was the firm’s finance manager for many years.

Steve added: “Being diagnosed with cancer and finishing treatment has really focused my mind and made me determined to make the most of life.

“I have already made plans to go skiing in Whistler, Canada with my daughter Andrea, who lives out there, and her family.

“And I will also visit my daughter Susan and her family in Shanghai.”

This article appeared in The Courier on 22 December 2025